It’s Week 7, and the Bucs and Bears are officially the walking wounded. But the Bears depth is really going to be tested on Sunday, especially on the defensive line. Typically the strength of the team, Chicago is hurting up front on defense. On Saturday, the Bears officially downgraded defensive tackle Akiem Hicks to OUT for their matchup with the Bucs. Hicks joins Robert Quinn (COVID) as Bears starting defensive linemen who won’t play on Sunday.

Without Quinn and Hicks, the Bears will be without two of their most impactful defensive players. Quinn is ninth in the NFL with 5.5 sacks, and Hicks is Chicago’s best interior pass rusher. Even Khalil Mack, the team’s best player, is questionable with a foot injury. Mack is expected to play despite barely practicing last week, but the Bears other defensive tackle, Bilal Nichols, may not. Nichols is questionable after missing practice on Thursday and Friday with a knee injury.

The Bears defense is easily their best unit, but the injuries go beyond their front line. On Sunday, Chicago will be without No. 2 and No. 3 safeties Tashaun Gipson and Deon Bush due to injuries. Bush was placed on injured reserve earlier in the week. Deandre Houston-Carson will start next to Eddie Jackson in the Chicago secondary. At cornerback, slot defender Duke Shelley is also a question mark, after being limited on Thursday and not practicing at all on Friday.

On offense, Chicago does get running back Damien Williams back from the COVID list. He’ll join Khalil Herbert in shouldering the load in the absence of starter David Montgomery. Wide receivers Allen Robinson and Jakeem Grant are questionable for Week 7, while No. 2 tight end Jimmy Graham was added to the COVID list on Friday.